April 12, 2023

 Twice before, I have witnessed the ultimate of luxury shopping;  the first time on Rodeo Drive in Los Angelos and the second time at the Queen Victoria Building, in Sydney Australia. Now we are in the old town of Prague.  In the 1950’s the Jewish Ghetto was leveled

and now ultimate high-end shopping has taken its place..

Inside each shop door, a handsome, thirties-something man dressed in an impeccable black suit with a pristine white shirt stands, ready to open that door, ready to smile and welcome you to tranquil perfection. The sales clerks, at the back of the store are gorgeous young women perfectly coiffed and dressed in fitted black jackets and short skirts.  Their long beautiful legs stand comfortably in black stilettos. Their jewelry is understated, gold or pearls.  All the attention is on the “product”  by Louis Vuitton, Hermes, Tiffany, Prada, or Gucci.  Handbags might be sparkly clutches that shimmer and shine or large, subdued carry-alls. All zipper pulls or fastenings have the understated but recognizable logo.  Something for every occasion as long as you are rich.

April 5, 2023

The good news is that the other day, when it seemed like we walked for many miles because we were lost, we came across an art supply store and I am now the proud owner of a pencil, an eraser and three brushes!!!! This is our last full day in Prague and I have decided to post the latest sketches and the unfinished quarter sheet started yesterday because once back in Germany we won’t have Facebook again.  It is still really too cold to paint outside. I lasted only an hour, and because of the cold everything stays wet a long time. The unfinished Charles Bridge sketch was done waiting to go into a concert and yesterday I did the one with the river  while waiting to go on a boat trip!

April 2, 2023

 Jim and I are really loving Prague.  It is so beautiful and the preEaster time is a great time to visit.  Yesterday we saw exhibitions of Mucha, Dali and Warhol. Although interesting, there was nothing inspiring to me.  Last night we attended a great concert by part of the Royal Czech Orchestra in St. Salvator church.  I had time to do two sketches once we found the venue before the concert.  Unfortunately, I realized that I lost my pencil case with all of my brushes, and pencil. This sketch was painted today with a brush made out of a toilet paper roll, my hair and tape.  Not the best brush.  It does have two ends, one fine and one chunky.